Tape folder



Oct. 18, 1960 H. M. WASSON 2,956,799

TAPE FOLDER Filed April 7, 1958 INVENTOR. HAROLD M. WASSoN United States Patent TAPE FOLDER Harold M. Wasson, 11803 Occidental, Seattle, Wash. Filed Apr. 7, 1958, Ser. No. 726,760 '3 Claims. 01. 270-86) This invention relates to tape folders, and has reference more particularly to a tool for the folding of long, narrow strips of paper, or tapes on the central longitudinal line thereof.

The invention pertains particularly to means for folding tapes or strips of those kinds used to cover the corner joints of rooms that are surfaced or finished with panels of wallboard, plaster board, Masonite, Cellotex and the like.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a tape folder of the above stated character that will be especially useful to builders for the easy, fast and on-the-spot folding of paper tapes as used to cover the corner joints where such surfacing panels as above mentioned are used.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device for the above stated folding purpose that is in the nature of a small hand tool; that is light in weight, and which, for the tape folding operation, requires only that the tape be threaded into and then drawn cndwise through it.

Further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details of its construction; in the combination of its parts, and in its mode of use, as will hereinafter be fully described.

In accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the present tape folder showing it with a paper tape applied thereto as for folding.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the two parts of the tape folder in separated relationship in order to better illustrate their respective forms.

Fig. 3 is a central, longitudinal section of the tape folding device with a tape applied thereto for folding.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the discharge end portion of the folder.

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

In Fig. 1, I have illustrated the present device as used for the folding of a paper strip or tape. The folder is designated in its entirety in Fig. 1 by reference numeral and the strip of tape being folded therein is designated by numeral 11.

Such paper strips or tapes are of uniform width and usually they are coated on their undersides with an adhesive that is to be moistened before the tape is applied to a wall. The folding of the tape is so performed that the fold will be along the longitudinal center line and the adhesive surfaces will be on the outside of the folded strip. The present folding device is comprised of only two parts. They are designated respectively, in Fig. 2, as the tape guiding trough 10a and the folding plate 10b; these two parts being shown in separated relationship for a better showing and understanding of their respective forms.

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The tape guiding trough 10a has a flat bottom 12 extending to its full length as observed in Fig. 3. At its tape receiving end, that being the left hand end of the trough as shown in Fig. l, the bottom 12 is formed along its opposite side edges, with upturned, parallel flanges 13-13. These flanges extend in parallel relationship to about one-half the length of the trough, and then they gradually and equally converge toward the longitudinal center. line. At the discharge end of the trough, they provide a narrow, vertical slit 14 between them. v

In order to give a better understanding of the size of this device for use as a hand tool, it will be here mentioned that the tape guiding trough of tools now being made are approximately seven inches long and are just slightly greater in width than the tape to be folded therein. The width of course would depend on the width of the tape to be folded and the length of the trough could be varied as desired within reasonable limits. The proportions in which the device is here shown are presently preferred.

Fixed within the trough 10a, as well as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is the folding plate 10b. This plate comprises a fiat body portion 16 formed along opposite side edges with upturned, parallel flanges 17-17, that extend approximately half the distance from its forward to its rearward or discharge end. The discharge end portion of the plate tapers gradually and is formed along its opposite sides with upturned flanges 17x-17x which continue from the rearward ends of the flanges 17-17 and are joined at the discharge end in a rounded nose 20.

The folding plate 10a is fitted between the opposite side flanges 13-13 of the guide trough; its side flanges 17-17 being spot welded, soldered or otherwise fixed to the parallel flanges of the trough. The flanges 17x-17x at the discharge end of the plate are slightly spaced from the converging portions of flanges 17-17 of the trough. The rounded nose portion 20 of the plate is located closely adjacent the vertical slit 14 between the flanges 17-17.

The bottom wall 12 of the guide trough and the flat body portion 16 of plate 10a are slightly spaced, and in parallel planes. Thus, they provide a flat passage as shown at 25 in Fig. 5, through which a tape to be advanced or drawn for folding as has been illustrated in Fig. 1.

To use the folder, the end portion of a paper strip or tape is inserted in the receiving end of passage 25 and advanced therein until its forward end passes through and beyond the vertical slit 14. Then that end of the tape can be grasped, and the tape pulled through. As the tape passes into the converging end portion of the trough, its opposite side portions are deflected upwardly by contact with the converging flanges 17-17, and caused to pass from the slit 14 in face to face contact. The nose portion 20 of the plate 10a holds the medial portion of the tape flat against the bottom of the trough until it reaches the slit 14. Thus, as the tape emerges from the slit 14 its opposite edge portions will be folded upwardly along the center line of the tape and in face to face relationship. By placing the strip in the folder with the adhesive coated side faced downwardly, the folded strip will emerge with the adhesive on the outside where it can be conveniently moistened for the application of the strip to a corner.

Folders of this kind can be economically made from aluminum or other suitable sheet metal. It is easy to use, and quite satisfactory for its intended use.

What I claim as new is:

1. A tape folder of the character described comprising a tape guiding trough and a folding plate disposed in fixed position within said trough; said trough including a flat bottom extending the full length thereof, vertical side flanges integral with and extending along opposite side retain the bottom of the plate in spaced, parallel relation- 10 ship with the bottom of said trough, said folding plate including a forwardly tapered end portion extending from said side flanges on the folding plate toward said point and said forward end portion terminating in spaced relationship to said point.

2. A tape folder as in claim 1 wherein the opposite side 4 edges of the tapered end portion of said plate are upwardly flared and spaced from the flanges on the exit end of said trough.

3. A tape folder as in claim 1 wherein the side flanges on said trough are at right angles to the bottom throughout their entire length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 909,712 Tompkins Jan. 12, 1900 2,592,766 Tincher Apr. 15, 1952 2,712,933 Davidson July 12, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 121,638 Great Britain Dec. 30, 1918 Mala 1-. a 

